PRCA vows to expelled Members For Working on Russia Sanctions List
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has warned its members they face expulsion for working with Russian organisations on the UK government sanctions list.
The organisation has also urged members to consider the reputational consequences of working for companies that are not sanctioned but have links with the Russian government.
In recent days, the PRCA has supported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in recent days by co-ordinating volunteer communications support. More than 150 PR professionals from around the world have so far offered practical assistance in combating misinformation by communicating Ukraine’s messaging to the Western media.
The news follows yesterday’s announcement that the Russian PR association, AKOS, has been suspended indefinitely from global communications trade body ICCO.
PRCA director general Francis Ingham said the PRCA “stands firmly beside Ukraine and the defence of its sovereignty”.
He said: “Our members cannot – under any circumstances – support organisations that are on the sanctions list. They should also reflect on the consequences for their own reputations of working with other organisations and individuals linked to the Russian Government. PRCA members around the world uphold standards and principles which are incompatible with the current activities of the Kremlin.
“All industries have a moral obligation to cut ties with the Russian government. But the weight of that responsibility falls heavily on PR and communications. The Russian government has waged an information war on Ukraine and our industry has a duty to fight the disinformation emanating from the Kremlin. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and many of our Russian colleagues who wholeheartedly oppose the reprehensible actions of their government.”
At the same time, Ingham has resigned as chairman of PRCA Russia, the independent organisation set up in 2019 as a networking organisation of in-house communication professionals, with the aim of raising professional standards within the Russia market. In a tweet this week he said: “Though [PRCA Russia] has no links with the Russian government, I simply am unable in good conscience to be associated with anything Russian given the war unleashed by Russia’s president.”
